Riddle by Elizabeth Horton-Newton Page B

voice. There was no time to try to make sense of what had just happened so he slipped on the tie and found he had no trouble knotting it, something he had never mastered as a teen. There was no sign of Agnes when he went downstairs and he did not seek her out. He didn’t have time for questions or discussions either. He wasn’t even certain what the questions would be. Grabbing the keys from the dish in the hall he went out to the garage and, tossing his resumes on the seat beside him, he started the engine.
    As he drove toward the diner he was surprised at his calmness. Of course there was no reason to be edgy about meeting Norma for breakfast. But shouldn’t he be nervous about seeing Chad and starting a job; shouldn’t he feel jumpy about seeing his PO? He looked at his hands steady on the steering wheel and wondered when he had become the person he now was. As he reached the part of the road where Butch had pulled him over the day before he glanced in his rearview mirror certain he would see that red and blue flashing bar. But there were no flashing lights and no police car.
    Arriving at the diner he saw Norma waiting in her car. He pulled in next to her and returned her smile. “Good morning stranger,” Norma’s smile widened showing her dimples. “You really have grown up. Not too shabby at all.”
    He held the diner door for her and laughed. “Gee thanks. That’s a backhanded compliment.”
    Norma started to respond when she saw Kort’s smile widen as the hostess stepped forward. “Well hello again.”
    Grace chuckled, “We seem to keep meeting in the same place.” She pulled two menus from the stack. “Just the two of you? Would like a booth or just the counter?”
    Kort turned to ask Norma which she preferred but stopped when he saw the bright red in her cheeks. Looking back at Grace he said a booth would be great. They followed her to the back of the diner where it was less crowded. “Is this okay for you?” Grace grinned at Kort and he noticed how her smile was slightly crooked, making her look impish. He hadn’t realized how tiny she was the day before; she didn’t even reach his shoulder.
    Looking at Norma he saw her color had returned to normal and she nodded, “This is great. Thanks.”
    As Grace placed their menus on the table she told them Ashlee would be their server. “Can I get you started with coffee or juice?”
    Norma responded before Kort could open his mouth. “We’ll just wait for Ashlee.” Her voice was sweet but something about her dark eyes was less than friendly.
    If Grace noticed she gave no indication. But Kort did notice. He wondered what Norma had against the girl or if their paths had somehow crossed in the brief time Grace had been in Riddle. “Actually I would like a cup of coffee. Thanks Grace.”
    Norma’s head turned sharply as Grace nodded and headed off to fill his request.
    Frowning Kort leaned toward Norma. “What’s wrong?”
    Stiffening slightly Norma responded. “Nothing is wrong. Why?”
    “It looks like she pissed you off.”
    The color rose in her cheeks again. “Who?”
    Kort leaned back again. “Come on Norma. We’ve known each other too long for this.”
    Norma looked down at her hands clenched tightly together on the table. “I don’t know. She just rubbed me the wrong way.” Taking a deep breath she pulled herself together and smiled up at Kort. “Maybe she just reminds me of someone. I don’t know. Can we forget about it?”
    Kort studied her closely. He was well aware she had a crush on him in high school but he had not considered she might still feel something for him. “Sure,” he agreed. “Let’s forget it.”
    Grace set the coffee down in front of Kort. “There you go. Ashlee will be right with you.” Smiling at Norma she again asked if she could get her anything.
    Offering a wide smile Norma said in her sweetest voice, “Thanks, no. I’m still thinking about what I want.”
    With a nod at Norma and a smile at Kort, Grace